One arrested over alleged scheme to help citizens evade military service

An individual has been arrested in Georgia on suspicion of helping dozens of citizens avoid compulsory military service by using falsified medical documentation, officials said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a briefing, Archil Nikoleishvili, deputy head of the General Inspection of the Ministry of Defence of Georgia, said the suspect acted in coordination with others and received financial compensation for the scheme.

The detainee, identified by the initials V.Sh. and born in 1959, assisted more than 30 individuals in evading the National Military Service by providing documents falsely indicating medical conditions.

Authorities said he had fraudulently obtained more than 100,000 lari ($36,000) through the operation.

During a personal search, officers seized 6,168.50 lari, while searches of his residence uncovered $105,000, 50,000 lari, and packaged marijuana, according to officials.

The investigation, led jointly by the Defence Ministry’s General Inspection, the anti-corruption agency of the State Security Service of Georgia, and the Prosecutor General’s Office of Georgia, involved several months of covert investigative measures authorised by a court.

Officials said the investigation is ongoing and the number of suspects may increase.

The crimes carry a maximum sentence of up to seven years’ imprisonment.